On this day in music history: August 5, 1978 -…

On this day in music history: August 5, 1978 – “Boogie Oogie Oogie” by A Taste Of Honey hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 1 week, also topping the Hot 100 for 3 weeks on September 9, 1978. Written by Janice-Marie Johnson and Perry Kibble, it is the biggest hit for the Los Angeles, CA based R&B band fronted by musicians Janice-Marie Johnson and Hazel Payne. The song is inspired during a gig the band plays at a military base. The audience, not used to seeing a band fronted by two women sit transfixed until lead singer and bassist Janice Marie Johnson entices the crowd to get on their feet. The incident inspires Johnson to write the song, collaborating with keyboardist Kibble. Signed to Capitol Records by R&B music executive Larkin Arnold, “Boogie” is the bands first single. Released in May of 1978, it is an across the board smash, becoming one of the defining records of the Disco Era, selling nearly three million copies in the US. A Taste Of Honey wins the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1979, making them only the second African American artists to win that award (Natalie Cole is the first). “Boogie Oogie Oogie” is later given an extended remix by John Luongo, adding additional overdubs including more drums to give the track a heavier back beat than the original version. This mix is released as a 12" single (initially as a promo only in the US, and commercially in the UK) in 1984. “Boogie Oogie Oogie” is certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA.